The EX-Z55 uses a 3-segment telescoping lens that makes it possible to provide 3x (35-105mm equivalent) optical zoom capabilities in an amazingly thin camera configuration. This is an all-glass Pentax SMC lens constructed of 6 elements in 5 groups with a maximum aperture of F2.6-4.8. It has a 4X digital zoom option.

The auto focus system covers 15.7 in. (40cm) to infinity in normal focus mode and from 2.4 in. (6cm) to 19.7 in. (50cm) in Macro mode. It also features an "Auto Macro" function, which automatically switches between Normal and Macro focus modes. As you can see from the animation above, the lens retracts fully inside of the camera when powered down and is protected by a built in lens cover. On power up it only takes about one second to extend the lens.

The optical viewfinder is large and bright, it shows approximately 80-85% of the captured image. There is no diopter adjustment. The two LEDs indicates camera power, flash charging, focus lock, memory error / memory full / battery low conditions.

The built-in flash has modes for auto, fill, red-eye reduction and off. The working range is approx. 1.3 ft. (0.4m) to 8.5 ft. (2.6m) at wide angle, and 1.3 ft. (0.4m) to 6.6 ft. (2.0m) at telephoto.

Located on the top are the power on/off and shutter release buttons.

The controls on the back are minimal but effective. All camera settings are changed via an onscreen menu system on the large and bright 2.5-inch color LCD. You can frame your pictures with the optical viewfinder or the color LCD.

At the top are the zoom control buttons, which also serve as the magnified playback and index mode controls buttons when in Play mode. Below that are the Play and Record buttons which select between play and record modes. The 4-way controller lets you easily navigate menu screens or select images for playback, you can program the "Left" and "Right" actions in the Setup menu to change Rec mode, EV comp, ISO speed, Self-timer or White Balance, the center SET button accepts menu selections. In Record mode you push "Up" to enable Macro focus or to enable the Album mode when in Playback. You push "Down" in record to change the flash mode or to delete an image when in Playback. And at the bottom is the MENU button calls up and dismisses the onsreen menu system, and the DISP button turns the color LCD on/off and controls the amount of information that is overlayed on the screen.

The EX-Z55 has 9.3 megabytes of internal memory for saving images and movie clips. It supports use of any size Secure Digital or MultiMedia Card via the expansion slot on the bottom. Image data can be copied to/from internal memory and a flash card via the Playback menu.

Shown here with a spacious and speedy SanDisk 256MB Ultra II SD card.

The camera must be placed in the included cradle to connect with a computer via the built-in USB port to transfer image data. It also charges the battery while docked. There is no video output capability on the camera or the dock.

The NP-40 lithium battery pack is charged (maximum of 2 hours) whenever the camera is docked in the cradle. This 3.7 volt battery is rated at 1230mA and Casio claims approx. 400 shots in record mode, and over 6 hours of continuous playback (based on CIPA Standard.)